Happy Halloween! Round 2

Happy Halloween again! FYI: See Round 1 below.
Miles' first halloween was a busy one! Tanner and I have never been big halloween people (you could say we're hallo-weenies). This year was fun, though. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking...

First, we waited and waited and waited for kids to show up and beg for candy.

Miles decided to take some for himself.

Then it was time for Miles to become Miles the Dragon again.

Thanks to the tail, he did a lot of tilting...

Then we ventured around the 'hood and visited our best neighbor girls,

Abby the Cat and Danni the Witch.

Next, we headed to the north end of town to see Lee the Federated Risk Analyst and his dog Maddy the Big Licker. Maddy LOVED Miles, and fortunately Miles LOVED Maddy. No pictures of the happy puppy/dragon interaction, though. After that, we went to see Lindsey the Federated Underwriter.

While there, we met Nora the Unicorn.

She was a very nice unicorn! Lindsey was also a very nice Underwriter (and friend, of course) and gave Miles the Dragon a "special" bag of goodies that included a toothbrush and some fruity puffs. Lucky dragon! Next up was Jenea the SCHA Member Services Representative's house, where we met Cinnamon the Other Big Licker. Cinnamon was just as licky as Maddy, which Miles loved. Really, he did -- there's something about puppies and their sloppy wet tongues that makes Miles laugh. I don't get it.

Anyway, all of that dog licking exhausted Miles the Dragon, but before going home we had to stop and say goodnight to Claire the Super Cute Butterfly.

We're not sure this girl can get any more adorable...but she'll probably try.

After the babies snuggled together on the big chair,

they played with each other's costumes.

And then, DRAMA. Claire noticed Miles' long blonde, silky locks and gave them a good tug.

That triggered the biggest, saddest Dragon meltdown ever. So we said goodnight to our friends and headed home.

After Miles went to bed, Tanner organized the loot.

Lindsey the Federated Underwriter provided most of the stuff. The animal crackers came from Semi-Retired Guy across the street (he really is a semi-retired guy; it wasn't just for halloween).

A fun day! Time for everyone to hop into bed. Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good night!

Happy Halloween! Round 1

Happy Halloween!

We just got home from a halloween party at Kids Korner, where Miles and his friends proved they are the best trick-or-treaters (particularly trickers) in town.

Miles didn't seem to mind the crazy dragon costume. I felt a little bad putting him in it because it's not like he "gets" the whole concept of Halloween...or any part of the concept, for that matter. I guess you could say the experience provides him with some visual and tactile stimulation, and it certainly teaches him about creativity. But who are we kidding. This day is more for us (the adults in his life) to dwell on his cuteness and provide ourselves with a little entertainment at his expense. I love you, sweet dragon boy!

Rumor has it cousin Hannah is buzzing around as a bumble bee today. I think her parents are dressed up as photographers, so stay tuned for some pictures of her...I'll get their written consent to publish her picture on The Blog.

For now, here are some pictures of Miles' friends from the party:

James the Spider

Ava the Bee Princess

Lauren the Butterfly

Reid the Turtle waiting for a snack

Miss. Ashley the Dancer and Miles the Dragon

And some other party-related photos:

Snack time

(thank goodness for the tail slot)

Miles the Dragon trying to eat his snack
Miles the Dragon playing with the pumpkin

Daddy the Federated Risk Analyst playing with the pumpkin

The goodies...oatmeal cream pie, here I come.

We'll be out on the town for a bit tonight. Check in again later!

BOO!

It's snowing!

It's a cold (31.8 degrees), windy (30+ mph), snowy (yes) day in Owatonna. Guess what that means? We're staying inside! Tanner and I have yet to change out of our pajamers, although we have brushed our teeth. Whew. (Tanner just made fun of me for typing the word "whew". Jerk.)
Miles had no choice but to change in to real clothes today because his diaper gave way over night. That's what happens when you are almost one digit but not quite two or three digits.

We've had a very fun and busy weekend, so it's probably good that we're being bums and chillin' at home today. The adventures began Friday as we visited Grandpappy at his new hang out spot - the U of MN.

Miles got to pretend he was a post-doc research assistant by sitting at Grandpa's desk.

We learned about one of Grandpappy's projects that involves temperature control. It sounds relatively simple, but it's actually quite complex -- much more work than what a 5th grader could pull off for the North Elementary science fair. Trust me.

We also scoped out a bottle scrubber. Miles wondered why it wasn't as colorful as HIS bottle scrubber. I had to explain to him that this was a super duty heavy mother-of-a-bottle scrubber, and not one fit for baby bottles.

On Friday night we devoured plates full of Charlie's chicken casserole (too bad Charlie wasn't there). Miles was so sad about Uncle Charlie missing out on the casserole that he had a hard time falling asleep...until he found this position on Auntie Angie's lap.

Saturday morning we slept in a bit, then joined about 450 other funny looking people for the St. Peter Halloween Fun Run. It lived up to it's name - not only was it halloweeny, but it was also fun. Angie took her time running because she has a half marathon to do next weekend in NC. I ended up running with some guy with a mullet in a tae-kwon-do suit (and i liked him so much, I brought him home). Not sure who that lady is, or the little man on her head.

Here we are at the end of the run. Miles thought we smelled really bad. I realized that the strange man I picked up along the route was actually Tanner - he looks better without the mullet. And Aunchie looks pretty good in her fluffy blue skirt.

After the morning festivities came to an end, we had lunch with Grandma + Grandpa G. Unfortunately there are no photos to prove the visit, but we did eat some of this with ice cream.

As I said, we're staying inside today. Miles and Tanner put the glass in the storm door.

Then Miles went on a towel ride.

Now the little boy is sleeping, Tanner is washing his golf clubs (typical), and I'm eating brownies (typical) and dinking around on the computer (typical). Here are some picture of all the snow:

(That's the drug house across the street. A locksmith just came yesterday so one of the neighbors (we're assuming) could get in the house and shut the windows that have been open for the last 6 weeks. Good timing!)

How's THAT for a blog posting? Photos and stories galore. Tune in for more excitement later!

11 months old!

Happy 11 month birthday, Mr. Miles!
You are getting to be such a big boy. Now that you can say "baby", you don't seem like such a baby any more.


And when you pose in a way that makes you look like a first grader, you don't seem like such a baby any more.


And now that you can go down the slide all by yourself, you don't seem like such a baby any more.


Pretty soon you are going to be ONE YEAR old! Then Uncle Charlie can officially call you "lil' didget" (or lil' didge for short).

We wish you'd stop growing so fast, but mommy's super powers don't include slowing down a baby. So instead we'll bust out the party hats and get ready for a big birthday celebration in one short month!

Shopping for pumpkins

This past weekend, Miles learned what it's like to be a farmer. If he could express his thoughts in words, it would probably be something like this...

We're well past the sweet corn pickin' season, but the feed corn needs a little more time to dry out before being harvested.

The pumpkins are ripe and ready for sale.

Yes, sir, the price is right.

Better get the sign ready and put Mr. Pumpkin in his spot.

Wooo hoooo! Here come a few customers!

Looks like they enjoyed the hayride.

This lady sure is friendly.

Hop on - the tractor is leaving. Hold on tight! It's one hay of a ride (ha).(People who would rather not risk their lives on a hay covered wagon can browse a more organized pumpkin crop back at the main base.)

Me again...
We spent a good part of the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa G while Tanner golfed. That's why he's missing from the pictures...it's not that we lost him out in pumpkin land. Sunday was a great day for touring Grandma's Lil' Acre just outside of town. I would argue that her lil' acre is actually several acres, but what do I know? I'm not a farmer. I don't know how they measure acres these days.

Anyway, it was a great way to spend part of the afternoon. For those of you in the St. Peter area, I highly recommend this pumpkin shopping experience. Free hay ride. Cheap pumpkins. Photo opportunities galore. Perfect for a warm October day!

Today is October 8th, 2008

The funny thing about this blog title is that I originally typed in October 7th. Ooops. Tanner corrected me. Yet another reason why I married him - so he can verify the accuracy of my blog titles! Thanks honey :)

Anyway, it was a beautiful day -- one of the few warm, sunny days remaining this year. Miles and I decided to venture over to River Bend Nature Center again. Remember when we went last time? Remember the picture of Miles sitting in front of the sign? (Hint: If not, click on the "last time" link). Here's evidence of how much he has changed since then...I couldn't get him to sit still for the picture! He was determined to play in the mess of leaves and pound on the bench.



Miles was fascinated by the colorful leaves hanging in the trees and coating the path. He was a quiet, content little guy during the entire walk -- not once did he squirm and try to break free. Makes me think he may have a future as a naturalist. (Before or after his stint as a fire fighter, you ask? That has yet to be determined.)He was eager for me to take this picture...evidence of what a brave outdoorsman he is to stand (sit) alone on a rickety old bridge over a pond full of green goobers and monsterous snapping turtles. Oooooh!

Just kidding.

And finally...this one is for you, Grandpappy:

A widow maker! Better call Vern and have him hussle over to the nature center. They've got lots of these things.